Pennsylvanians who buy their health insurance on the federal exchange can expect lower prices if a bill passed by the House today becomes law. House Bill 3, sponsored by House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), would establish a state-based health insurance exchange and reinsurance program.

“I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognized that saving Pennsylvanians’ money is not a political issue,” Cutler said. “A dozen states are already running their own exchanges rather than participating in the federal healthcare.gov, and residents in those states are paying less than we are. It’s time we joined in those savings.”

The Trump administration opened additional opportunities for states to create exchanges unique to the challenges and needs facing individual states through an executive order on President Donald Trump’s first day in office. The cost-saving plan is also endorsed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

“The backing of both the federal and state administrations speak to why this is the right move for consumers in our Commonwealth,” Cutler added. “While there are continuing debates over the effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act at the federal level and in the courts, we should still work to make the system as responsible as possible for Pennsylvania.”

The state exchange makes no changes to the requirements, pre-existing conditions or any other enrollment requirements that exist at the federal level, and if the Affordable Care Act law changes or is eliminated, the Pennsylvania exchange would reflect those changes.

The state reinsurance program would drive down costs for all Pennsylvanians as insurers will have a better idea of which customers carry the highest costs. The return in other states has proven to be lower premiums for all customers.

Currently, more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians buy their health insurance through healthcare.gov at a cost of $85 million to $90 million to the state in fees to run the site. Under this plan, those fees would be kept in Pennsylvania and the state Insurance Department would run the exchange. The bill now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

State police at Lewis Run apprehended a Hazel Hurst resident Monday morning for theft and violating parole. Troopers were called to investigate a burglary on Hamlin Township property at around 8:40 pm Sunday . Todd Stahli was taken into custody at 7:00 am Monday.

A Port Allegany man has been arrested for harassment with physical contact. Troopers at Lewis Run claim 52 year old Daniel Vidonish injured a 20 year old woman by hitting her in the face with a closed fist early Sunday morning.

A teenage driver has been arrested for speeding in connection to a collision Monday evening in Lawrenceville. Troopers at Mansfield explained 18 year old Dallas Thomas of Knoxville was speeding when he traveled up the northbound lane on the Route 15 entrance ramp from Route 49 and accelerated past a Ford FLX driven by Aaron Justice of Painted Post, NY after Justice had moved from the right lane to the left lane. Thomas’s Ford Mustang started spinning around and Justice tried unsuccessfully to avoid contact. Both drivers escaped injury as did two 15 year old boys, one from Elkland the other from Knoxville and Sarah Justice and a five year old boy riding in the Justice auto.

McKean County authorities are continuing their investigation into the possible endangerment of a child. Sate police explain a four yar old boy was left in the back of a school van last Friday evening by a 78 year old Eldred woman.

Troopers at Mansfield have charged 25 year old Kacey Brion of that town with making false reports to law enforcement. Police allege whenthey pulled Brion’s 2008 Subaru on Route 15 on the afternoon of may 26 for driving with revoked or suspended license she identified herself as her twin sister, l.Brion.

The theft of a four wheeler from a Delmar Township residence is being probed by state police at Mansfield . the 1987 Suzuki LT 250 R ,owned by Lane Spencer of Wellsboro was stolen from a detached garage sometime between May 24 and 30th.The machine is yellow with a blue seat, has an FMF “Fatty” exhaust pipe and chrome rear grab bar and is valued at $3000.

DUI charges are pending against a 57 year old Mt. Jewett man who was stopped by patrol officers on Maple Lane in that town Monday evening for a traffic violation. Officers did not release the man’s name but said they believe his was drivinghis 2018 Jeep under the influence of controlled substances and was taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center for a blood draw. His arrest is pending test results.